The Busie Body Part 23

Sir _Fran._ Hold, Sir, you have nothing to say to this Lady.

Sir _Geo._ Nor you nothing to do with my Wife, Sir.

Sir _Fran._ Wife, Sir!

_Miran._ Ay really, _Guardian_, 'tis even so. I hope you'll forgive my first Offence.

Sir _Fran._ What have you chous'd me out of my Consent, and your Writings then, Mistress, ha?

_Miran._ Out of nothing but my own, _Guardian_.

Sir _Jeal._ Ha, ha, ha, 'tis some Comfort at least to see you are over-reach'd as well as my self. Will you settle your Estate upon your Son now?

Sir _Fran._ He shall starve first.

_Miran._ That I have taken care to prevent. There, Sir, is the Writings of your Uncle's _Estate_, which has been your due these three Years.

(_Gives _Char._ Papers._

_Char._ I shall study to deserve this Favour.

Sir _Fran._ What have you robb'd me too, Mistress! Egad I'll make you restore 'em.--Huswife, I will so.

Sir _Jeal._ Take care I don't make you pay the Arrears, Sir. 'Tis well it's no worse, since 'tis no better. Come, young Man, seeing thou hast out-witted me, take her, and Bless you both.

_Char._ I hope, Sir, you'll bestow your Blessing too, 'tis all I'll ask.

(_Kneels._

Sir _Fran._ Confound you all!

(_Exit._

_Marpl._ Mercy upon us! how he looks!

Sir _Geo._ Ha, ha, ne'er mind his Curses, _Charles_; thou'lt thrive not one jot the worse for 'em. Since this Gentleman is reconcil'd, we are all made happy.

Sir _Jeal._ I always lov'd Precaution, and took care to avoid Dangers.

But when a thing was past, I ever had Philosophy to be easie.

_Char._ Which is the true sign of a great Soul: I lov'd your Daughter, and she me, and you shall have no reason to repent her Choice.

_Isab._ You will not blame me, Sir, for loving my own Country best.

_Marpl._ So here's every Body happy, I find, but poor _Pilgarlick_. I wonder what Satisfaction I shall have, for being cuff'd, kick'd, and beaten in your Service.

Sir _Jeal._ I have been a little too familiar with you, as things are fallen out; but since there's no help for't, you must forgive me.

_Marpl._ Egad I think so--But provided that you be not so familiar for the future.

Sir _Geo._ Thou hast been an unlucky Rogue.

_Marpl._ But very honest.

_Char._ That I'll vouch for; and freely forgive thee.

Sir _Geo._ And I'll do you one piece of Service more, _Marplot_, I'll take care that Sir _Francis_ make you Master of your Estate.

_Marpl._ That will make me as happy as any of you.

_Patch._ Your humble Servant begs leave to remind you, Madam.

_Isab._ Sir, I hope you'll give me leave to take _Patch_ into favour again.

Sir _Jeal._ Nay, let your Husband look to that, I have done with my Care.

_Char._ Her own Liberty shall always oblige me. Here's no Body but honest _Whisper_ and Mrs. _Scentwell_ to be provided for now. It shall be left to their Choice to Marry, or keep their Services.

_Whisp._ Nay then, I'll stick to my Master.

_Scentw._ c.o.xcomb! and I prefer my Lady before a Footman.

Sir _Jeal._ Hark, I hear Musick, the Fidlers smell a Wedding. What say you, young Fellows, will ye have a Dance?

Sir _Geo._ With all my Heart; call'em in.

A DANCE.

Sir _Jeal._ Now let us in and refresh our selves with a chearful Gla.s.s, in which we'll bury all Animosities: And

_By my Example let all Parents move, And never strive to cross their Childrens Love; But still submit that Care to Providence above._

FINIS

The Editors of THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY

are pleased to announce that

THE WILLIAM ANDREWS CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY of The University of California, Los Angeles

will become the publisher of the Augustan Reprints in May, 1949. The editorial policy of the Society will continue unchanged. As in the past, the editors will strive to furnish members inexpensive reprints of rare seventeenth and eighteenth century works.

Publications for the fourth year (1949-1950)